The free shuttle service, which aims to cut down traffic backups and ease pressure on beach parking lots, will operate four days a week through April 30.

The buses will run from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., then again for sunset from 4:30 to 7:10 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays.

The buses will target two of the county's busiest beaches in North Naples: at Vanderbilt Beach and Delnor-Wiggins State Park.

The short loop will start near the Publix at the northeast corner of Immokalee Road and U.S. 41. The buses will head west along Immokalee Road into Delnor-Wiggins State Park, then south on Vanderbilt Drive to Vanderbilt Beach, back east to Mercato and turn north on U.S. 41 to return to the starting point.

With two buses in operation, riders can expect to see a newly painted "Beach Bus" every 15 to 20 minutes, said Michelle Arnold, director of alternative transportation for the county.

The county tried an unsuccessful version of the trolley last year. It started at North Collier Regional Park, off Livingston Road, almost 30 minutes by bus from the beach, charged a full bus fare and circled back around only once an hour.

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It was little used and this year has been revamped.

The goal of the program never was to make money but to alleviate traffic, Arnold said.

The county has been searching for a way to keep up with population growth and demand for beach access without expanding parking lots or building new garages.

But there's still a question of where people will park to board the trolley, depending on how popular the free ride proves to be.

Riders can park for free in Conner Park at 111th Avenue North, which has 158 parking spaces.

The plan is for riders to hop on at any existing bus stop along the route, including those near the ever busy Publix and Mercato stores. The county does not have deals in place to allow beach parking at those centers.

Riders can wave for the trolley to stop like a taxi anywhere on the route.

The county is looking into and trying to negotiate park-and-ride options for the route, Arnold said.